Integrated transaxles for standing lawn mower

ABSTRACT

A standing lawn mower includes right and left side integrated transaxles for operating the right and left drive wheels independently. The integrated transaxles may include independent hydraulic systems and hydraulic fluid for modularity and reduced risk of cross contamination. The operator support platform is at least partially behind the right and left integrated transaxles.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/537960, filed Sep. 22, 2011, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to lawn mowers and more particularly to standing ride-on lawn mowers, and more specifically to a standing ride-on lawn mower having integrated transaxles.

SUMMARY

The invention provides a standing lawn mower comprising: a frame; a right drive wheel supporting the frame; a left drive wheel supporting the frame; a prime mover supported by the frame; a cutting deck assembly supported by the frame for movement between a cutting position in which the cutting deck assembly is lowered with respect to the frame and a travel position in which the cutting deck assembly is raised with respect to the frame, the cutting deck assembly including a cutting deck and at least one cutting blade mounted under the cutting deck and rotating under the influence of the prime mover to cut vegetation when the cutting deck assembly is in the cutting position; a right side integrated transaxle operating under the influence of the prime mover to drive rotation of the right drive wheel independent of the rotation of the left drive wheel, the right side integrated transaxle including a right side housing, a right hydraulic pump within the housing, and a right hydraulic motor within the housing; a left side integrated transaxle operating under the influence of the prime mover to drive rotation of the left drive wheel independent of the rotation of the right drive wheel, the left side integrated transaxle including a left side housing, a left hydraulic pump within the housing, and a left hydraulic motor within the housing; and an operator platform for supporting a standing operator of the lawn mower, the operator platform being positioned at least partially behind the right and left integrated transaxles.

In some embodiments, the right transaxle includes a right hydraulic system using right hydraulic fluid; and wherein the left transaxle includes a left hydraulic system independent of the right hydraulic system and using left hydraulic fluid that is separate and unmixed with the right hydraulic fluid. In some embodiments, the operator platform is at least partially between the right and left drive wheels. In some embodiments, the prime mover includes a horizontal PTO shaft; the standing lawn mower further comprising a gear box taking as an input torque from the horizontal PTO shaft and delivering as an output a vertical rotating shaft.

In some embodiments, the prime mover includes a vertical, downwardly extending PTO shaft that defines a vertical PTO axis, the PTO shaft rotating about the PTO axis during operation of the prime mover. In some embodiments, the prime mover includes a PTO bearing supporting the PTO shaft in cantilevered fashion for rotation about the PTO axis; and wherein all portions of both the right side transaxle and the left side transaxle are below a horizontal plane that is below the PTO bearing. In some embodiments, the lawn mower further comprises a power transmission assembly including: a PTO sheave mounted to the PTO shaft for rotation with the PTO shaft about the PTO axis; a right transaxle sheave interconnected with the right hydraulic pump and rotatable to drive operation of the right hydraulic pump; a left transaxle sheave interconnected with the left hydraulic pump and rotatable to drive operation of the left hydraulic pump; an idler; a tensioner; and a belt interconnecting the PTO sheave to the right transaxle sheave, left transaxle sheave, idler, and tensioner to transmit rotation of the PTO sheave under the influence of the PTO shaft into rotation of the right transaxle sheave, left transaxle sheave, idler, and tensioner; wherein each of the right transaxle sheave, left transaxle sheave, idler, and tensioner rotate about an axis of rotation that is parallel to the PTO axis.

In some embodiments, the operator platform is positioned at least partially behind the right and left drive wheels. In some embodiments, the lawn mower further comprises a hydraulic fluid expansion tank; and wherein the right side integrated transaxle, the left side integrated transaxle, and the hydraulic fluid expansion tank are in fluid communication with each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a lawn mower.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the lawn mower.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an operator platform assembly of the lawn mower of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the operator platform assembly.

FIG. 5 is a section view of the operator platform assembly in an operating position.

FIG. 6 is a section view of the operator platform assembly in a stored position.

FIG. 7 is a top view of a portion of the lawn mower.

FIG. 8 is an exploded rear perspective view of the lawn mower.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a mower drive assembly and drive transmission assembly of the lawn mower.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of an integrated transaxle of the mower drive assembly.

FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the drive transmission assembly.

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a lawn mower 100 embodying the present invention. The lawn mower 100 includes a right front wheel 102, a left front wheel 104, a right rear drive wheel 106, a left rear drive wheel 108, a frame 110, an operator platform assembly 112, a control tower 114, a mower drive assembly 116, a cutting deck assembly 118, a cutting deck transmission assembly 120, a cutting deck lift assembly 122, and a height of cut assembly 124. The figures illustrate a standing ride-on lawn mower 100, which is a lawn mower on which the operator stands rather than sits. Various features of this mower 100, including the mower drive assembly 116, the cutting deck lift assembly 122, and the height of cut assembly 124 are applicable to other types of lawn mowers, including walk behind lawn mowers and sitting ride-on lawn mowers.

For the purposes of the present specification, all spatial and directional terms shall, unless specifically stated otherwise, refer to space and direction as perceived by an operator of the lawn mower 100 in the lawn mower's intended operational orientation, moving over flat, horizontal ground. In ordinary operation, the lawn mower 100 is intended to be oriented with the front and rear wheels 102, 104, 106, 108 in contact with the ground and an operator standing on the operator platform assembly 112 facing toward the front wheels 102, 104. Consequently, the term “forward” and variations thereon shall mean in a direction parallel to the direction from the rear wheels 106, 108 toward the front wheels 102, 104. The term “front” and variations thereon shall mean positioned further in the forward direction than an element being compared. The term “reverse” and variations thereon shall mean in a direction parallel to the direction from the front wheels 102, 104 toward the rear wheels 106, 108. The term “rear” and variations thereon shall mean positioned further in the reverse direction than an element being compared. The terms “right,” “left,” and variations thereon shall be in reference to the respective right and left as viewed by a forward-looking operator. The terms “up,” “down” and variations thereon shall be used as from the perspective of an operator standing on the operator platform assembly 112. The terms “above” and “over” shall mean intersecting a comparatively higher horizontal plane, and the terms “directly above” and “directly over” shall mean intersecting a comparatively higher horizontal plane and intersecting a common vertical line. The terms “below” and “under” shall mean intersecting a comparatively lower horizontal plane, and the terms “directly below” and “directly under” shall mean intersecting a comparatively lower horizontal plane and intersecting a common vertical line. Elements that are “directly above” or “directly below” other elements are also “above” or “below” the other elements, but the opposite is not necessarily true.

The right and left front wheels 102, 104 in the illustrated embodiment are of a variety commonly called “caster wheels.” The right and left front wheels 102, 104 are passive, meaning that they are not driven under power. The right and left front wheels 102, 104 rotate about horizontal axes of rotation. The right and left front wheels 102, 104 are mounted to the frame 110 with an arrangement that permits the right and left front wheels 102, 104 to swivel with respect to the frame 110 about vertical axes to accommodate turning and rotating of the lawn mower 100. In some embodiments, the right and left front wheels 102. 104 are not passive, but instead can be actively steered by the operator.

The right and left rear drive wheels 106, 108 in the illustrated embodiments are driven under the influence of the mower drive assembly 116, as will be discussed in more detail below. As will be discussed, the right and left rear drive wheels 106, 108 in the illustrated embodiment are capable of rotating independent of one another in forward and reverse directions to cause forward, reverse, and turning movement of the lawn mower 100. The right and left drive wheels 106, 108 rotate about a common horizontal axis of rotation 126.

When the right and left drive wheels 106, 108 rotate in opposite directions (i.e., one forward and one reverse) at the same speed, the lawn mower 100 rotates about a zero-radius turning axis 128, which may also be referred to as a zero-turn axis or ZT axis. The ZT axis 128 is a vertical axis that intersects the horizontal axis of rotation 126 midway between the right and left rear drive wheels 106, 108. The intersection of the vertical ZT axis 128 and the horizontal axis of rotation 126 may be referred to as the “midpoint” between the right and left rear drive wheels 106, 108. The vertical plane that includes the horizontal axis of rotation 126 and the ZT axis 128 may be referred to as the “reference plane 126, 128.”

The frame 110 is supported by the right and left front wheels 102, 104 and the right and left rear drive wheels 106, 108. The other systems of the lawn mower 100 (i.e., the operator platform assembly 112, the control tower 114, the mower drive assembly 116, the cutting deck assembly 118, the cutting deck transmission assembly 120, the cutting deck lift assembly 122, and the height of cut assembly 124) are supported by the frame 110.

With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the operator platform assembly 112 includes an operator platform 130, a right pivot assembly 132, a left pivot assembly 134, a pivot limiting assembly 136, and a latch assembly 138. The operator platform assembly 112 is pivotable between an operating position in which it may be said to be “pivoted down” as illustrated in FIG. 5, and a stored position in which it may be said to be “pivoted up” as illustrated in FIG. 6. Except as specifically noted, the operator platform assembly 112 will be discussed below with reference to its operating position.

The operator platform 130 includes a plate 140 that has a central flat surface 142 and angled side sections 144. The operator stands on the operator platform 130 during operation of the lawn mower 100. For the purposes of the present specification, the term “operator zone” will be used to mean all areas of the lawn mower 100 that are accessible by an operator of the lawn mower 100 standing on the operator platform 130 during ordinary operation of the lawn mower 100.

The central flat surface 142 includes slip-resistant features 146, such as bumps or a rough surface treatment to resist slipping of the operator's feet. The angled side sections 144 are positioned on the right and left sides of the central flat surface and 142 extend up at angle of between about 10° and 80° with respect to the central flat surface 142. The angled side sections 144 give the operator tactile feedback as to the operator's foot position on the operator platform 130. The operator platform 130 (or, more specifically, the central flat surface 142) is pivotable between being generally horizontal when in the operating position (FIG. 5) and generally vertical when in the stored position (FIG. 6).

The right and left pivot assemblies 132 and 134 are mirror images of each other. Each pivot assembly 132, 134 includes an outer bracket 148, an inner bracket 150, a pivot sleeve 152, and a pivot pin 154. The terms “outer” and “inner” refer to the brackets' positions along the horizontal axis of rotation 126 of the rear drive wheels 106 and 108 with respect to the midpoint between the drive wheels 106 and 108. The outer bracket 148 is axially further from the midpoint than the inner bracket 150 is. The outer and inner brackets 148, 150 include vertical planar sections that are parallel to each other, and in this regard may be characterized as a yoke for the pivot pin 154.

The outer bracket 148 is mounted to the side of the frame 110 and extends down between the drive wheel 106, 108 and the operator platform 130. The outer bracket 148 reduces access of the operator's foot, pants, or other body part or clothing to the rotating drive wheel 106, 108 to reduce the likelihood of the operator or the operator's clothing from coming into contact with the drive wheel 106, 108 while the operator is standing on the operator platform 130. In this regard, the outer bracket 148 may be termed a wheel blocking bracket. The outer bracket 148 includes a pivot pin mounting hole 160. The inner bracket 150 is also mounted to the frame 110 and extends down. The inner bracket 150 includes a pivot pin mounting hole 162 that aligns with the pivot pin mounting hole 160 in the outer bracket 148.

The pivot sleeve 152 includes a through bore 164 and is a cylindrical member rigidly mounted to the operator platform 130. The pivot sleeve 152 could be made integrally with the operator platform 130 or could be provided separately and rigidly joined or affixed to the operator platform 130. In the illustrated embodiment, the pivot sleeves 152 are positioned between ears 165 that extend up from the forward ends of the angled side sections 144 of the operator platform 130. The ears 165 are spaced such that each pair of ears 165 fits between the outer and inner brackets 148, 150. The ears 165 include centering holes 167 that align with the through bore 164.

Bushings 169 that have a small diameter portion and a wide flange secure the pivot sleeves 152 to the ears 165. The small diameter portions of the bushings 169 extend through the centering holes 167 and are press fit into the through bore 164. The flanges of the bushings 169 sit against the away-facing surfaces of the ears 165. The flange diameter is larger than the diameter of the centering holes 167. The bushings 169 include a through bore.

The pivot pin 154 extends through the pivot pin mounting holes 160, 162, the bushings 167, and the through bore 164 to pivotally interconnect the operator platform 130 to the outer and inner brackets 148, 150 (and thereby to the frame 110). A retaining bracket 166, snap ring, or other means for preventing the pivot pin 154 from axial movement is attached to the pivot pin on the away-facing surface of the inner bracket 150. The outer end of the pivot pin 154 is secured from axial movement with a nut or other fastener. The pivot sleeves 152 and bushings 169 are free to rotate on the pivot pins 154, such that the operator platform 130 is pivotable between the operating position and the stored position about the pivot pins 154.

The pivot limiting assembly 136 includes a stop plate 168, a rear cross bar 170, and a plurality of dampening members 172. The stop plate 168 is mounted to the front edge of the operator platform 130, between the inner brackets 150 of the pivot assemblies 132, 134. The stop plate 168 extends at a right angle to the operator platform 130, and is therefore vertical when the operator platform assembly 112 is in the operating position and horizontal when the operator platform assembly 112 is in the stored position.

The plurality of dampening members 172 are mounted to the rear facing surface of the stop plate 168. The dampening members 172 are made of a resilient material such as rubber, to absorb vibrations and shock.

The rear cross bar 170 is mounted to the rear end of the frame 110. The dampening members 172 come into contact with the forward-facing side of the rear cross bar 170 when the operator platform assembly 112 is in the operating position. In operation, the weight of the operator is downwardly directed on the operator platform 130, which causes the operator platform 130 to pivot down on the pivot pins 154. Downward pivoting of the operator platform 130 is resisted by the dampening members 172 of the stop plate 168 bearing against the rear cross bar 170. As the lawn mower 100 moves over bumpy terrain, some of the dynamic stresses and vibrations that are transferred to the lawn mower 100 are absorbed by the dampening member 172 to improve the comfort of the operator. Stated another, way, the dampening members 172 provide suspension for the operator standing on the operator platform 130, which reduces the amplitude of vibration and impact loading that is transmitted to the operator as a result of operating the lawn mower 100.

The latching assembly 138 includes a latch pin 174, a latch arm 176, and a biasing member 178. The latch pin 174 is rigidly affixed to the operator platform 130 and extends to one side (the right side in the illustrated embodiment). The latch arm 176 includes a cam surface 180 and a latch slot 182, and is pivotably mounted to the outer bracket 148 or to another bracket above the outer bracket 148 that is mounted to the frame 110. The illustrated biasing member 178 is a linearly acting spring, but in other embodiments it may be a torsion spring. The biasing member 178 biases the latch arm 176 toward an engaged position (“down” in the illustrated embodiment).

Upon pivoting the operator platform 130 into the stored position, the latch pin 174 engages the cam surface 180 of the latch arm 176 and pivots the latch arm 176 against the biasing force of the biasing member 178 (i.e., pivots the latch arm “up” in the illustrated embodiment). Continued movement of the operator platform 130 toward the stored position moves the latch pin 174 into alignment with the latch slot 182. Upon alignment of the latch pin 174 with the latch slot 182, the biasing force of the biasing member 178 pivots the latch arm 176 down, such that the latch pin 174 is captured within the latch slot 182.

The engagement of the latch pin 174 by the latch arm 176 resists pivotal movement of the operator platform 130 from the stored position toward the operating position. This is often desirable during transportation or storage of the lawn mower 100 because it reduces the overall length of the lawn mower to save space. The operator platform 130 is released from the stored position by lifting the latch arm 176 (e.g., by engagement of one's finger against the cam surface 180 on the latch arm 176) such that the latch pin 174 is free from the latch slot 182 so the operator platform 130 can pivot down toward the operating position.

The outer bracket 148 of the left pivot assembly 134 includes an arc-shaped slot 183 to accommodate a fastener 447 that pivotably interconnects a slotted arm 424 and a deck lift foot lever 426, which will be described in greater detail below.

As illustrated, the operator platform 130 is positioned at least partially behind the right and left rear drive wheels 106 and 108. The pivot pin 154 is positioned behind and below the common horizontal axis of rotation 126 of the drive wheels 106 and 108. The entirety of the operator platform 130 is behind the common horizontal axis of rotation 126 of the drive wheels 106 and 108. In the operating position, the operator platform 130 is below a plane containing the engine deck 210.

Referring to FIG. 7, the control tower 114 extends vertically from the frame 110 in front of the operator platform 130. Mounted to a rear-facing side of the control tower 114 is a cushion 184 against which a forward-leaning operator rests during operation of the lawn mower 100. The control tower 114 includes the following controls, all of which are in the operator zone: an ignition switch 186, a blade engagement control 188, a choke 190, an engine speed control 192, a right control arm 194, a left control arm 196, a reverse hard stop 198, a forward hard stop 200, a forward hard stop lock 202, an interlock 204, a deck lift hand lever 206, a height of cut selector 208, and a height of cut indicator 209. In the illustrated embodiment, at least some of the controls are located or locatable forward of the reference plane 126, 128 (i.e., a plane perpendicular to FIG. 7 and including the axis of rotation 126), but in an alternative preferred embodiment, at least the reverse hard stop 198, the right control arm 194, the left control arm 196, and the forward hard stop 200 are all moved rearward of the reference plane 126, 128.

FIG. 8 illustrates the mower drive assembly 116, which includes an engine deck 210, a fuel source 212, an engine 214, a right integrated transaxle 216, a left integrated transaxle 218, and a drive transmission assembly 220. The engine deck 210 is above the operator platform 130 when the operator platform 130 is in the operating position. The engine 214, acting through the drive transmission assembly 220, drives a pump in each of the right and left integrated transaxles 216, 218. The engine 214 also drives operation of the cutting deck transmission assembly 120 to cause cutting blades in the cutting deck assembly 118 to rotate and cut grass or other vegetation.

The right and left control arms 194, 196 are interconnect to the right and left integrated transaxles 216, 218 to control the speed and direction of rotation of the respective right and left rear drive wheels 106, 108. The right and left control arms 194, 196 have a neutral position in which they do not cause any rotation of the right and left rear drive wheels 106, 108. When the right and left control arms 194, 196 are pushed forward from the neutral position by the operator, the respective right and left rear drive wheels 106, 108 rotate in a forward direction at a speed proportional to the degree of forward movement of the control arms 194, 196. When the right and left control arms 194, 196 are pulled rearward from the neutral position by the operator, the respective right and left rear drive wheels 106, 108 rotate in a reverse direction (opposite the forward direction) at a speed proportional to the degree of rearward movement of the control arms 194, 196. When one of the control arms is pushed forward and the other is pulled rearward, one of the drive wheels rotates in the forward direction and the other rotates in the reverse direction, giving rise to rotation of the lawn mower 100 about the ZT axis 128.

The stop plate 168 of the operator platform assembly 112 moves or passes between the right and left integrated transaxles 216, 218 as the foot platform is pivoted between the operating position (FIG. 5) and the stored position (FIG. 6).

Referring now to FIG. 7, the reverse hard stop 198 provides a fixed frame of reference for the operator when manipulating the control levers 194, 196. The operator's hands and thumbs may rest on the reverse hard stop 198 while the operator's fingers pull one or both of the control arms 194, 196 rearward (i.e., in the reverse direction). Squeezing the control arms 194, 196 against the reverse hard stop 198 results in maximum reverse speed for the lawn mower 100. The operator's hands are less prone to bouncing or moving unintentionally due to the terrain when the operator's hands and fingers rest on the reverse hard stop 198.

The forward hard stop 200 is adjustable and locked in place by the forward hard stop lock 202. The forward hard stop 200 may be pivoted forward or rearward into a desired position by disengaging or unlocking the forward hard stop lock 202, pivoting the forward hard stop 200 to a desired position, and engaging or locking the forward hard stop lock 202. Once the forward hard stop 200 is set, a desired maximum forward speed has been established for the lawn mower 100. By squeezing the control arms 194, 196 against the forward hard stop 200, the operator achieves the desired maximum forward speed. When locked in place, the forward hard stop 200 is fixed with respect to the control tower 114 to provide a stable and fixed resting place for the operator's hands. The operator's hands and fingers rest on the forward hard stop 200, while the operator's thumbs manipulate the control arms 194, 196 in the forward direction. The forward hard stop 200 provides a frame of reference for the relative speed being requested of each drive wheel 106, 108. The operator's hands are less prone to bouncing or moving unintentionally due to the terrain when the operator's hands and fingers rest on the forward hard stop 200.

Referring again to FIG. 8, in the illustrated embodiment, the fuel source 212 is a gas tank that contains gasoline for use by the engine 214. The gas tank can include a primary tank and a back-up tank. The fuel source 212 is mounted to the engine deck 210. In the illustrated embodiment, the engine 214 is supported by the engine deck 210 and includes a power take off (“PTO”) shaft 238 extending vertically down through the engine deck 210. The engine 214 also includes a PTO bearing that supports the PTO shaft 238 for rotation about a vertical axis of rotation. Although the illustrated embodiment includes an internal combustion engine 214 and a gasoline tank 212 as the prime mover and fuel source, respectively, other embodiments may include alternative prime movers and suitable fuel sources for such alternative prime movers. Examples of alternative prime movers and fuel sources include a hybrid engine and a source of natural gas or gasoline, an electric motor and batteries, and a fuel cell and hydrogen tank.

FIGS. 9-11 illustrate the mower drive assembly 116 and drive transmission assembly 220 in more detail. The PTO bearing noted above is visible in FIG. 9, and identified with reference number 240. The PTO bearing 240 supports the PTO shaft 238 for rotation about a vertical PTO axis 242. The right and left integrated transaxles 216, 218 are identical units in the illustrated embodiment. One example of a commercially available and suitable integrated transaxle is manufactured by Hydro-Gear of Sullivan, Ill.

As schematically illustrated in FIG. 10, the integrated transaxles 216, 218 include a housing 244 which contains a hydraulic pump 246, a hydraulic motor 248, and a dedicated hydraulic loop 250 that includes a reservoir 252. The hydraulic pump 246 includes an input shaft 254 and the hydraulic motor 248 includes an output shaft 256. The hydraulic pump 246 also includes a swash plate 258 that can be manipulated to cause hydraulic fluid to flow in forward and reverse directions through the motor 248.

In the illustrated embodiment, the right and left integrated transaxles 216, 218 are self-contained and do not commingle hydraulic fluid or share a reservoir. The right integrated transaxle 216 includes a right hydraulic system using a right hydraulic fluid, and the left integrated transaxle 218 includes a left hydraulic system using a left hydraulic fluid. The right and left hydraulic fluids are separate and unmixed with each other. This is advantageous over known systems that share hydraulic fluid or components, because the integrated transaxles 216, 218 can be separately serviced or replaced and foreign objects or debris in the hydraulic fluid of one of the transaxles will not be shared with the other transaxle. In some embodiments, the integrated transaxles 216, 218 can be placed in hydraulic fluid communication to share hydraulic fluid, and in other embodiments, the integrated transaxles 216, 218 can share a common reservoir 252.

In view of the foregoing, the term “integrated transaxle” may be used to describe a pump, a motor, and a hydraulic system contained within a single housing having a pump input shaft and a motor output shaft extending through the housing such that the integrated transaxle is a modular, self-contained, independent unit. A hydraulic drive system can be constructed by connecting a prime mover capable of delivering an input torque to the pump input shaft of the integrated transaxle and connecting an object to be rotated to the motor output shaft of the integrated transaxle. No additional plumbing, hydraulic components, or other components are required to construct the hydraulic drive system.

In operation, a linkage connects the right and left control arms 194, 196 to the swash plate 258 of the associated integrated transaxle 216, 218. Movement of the control arms 194, 196 manipulates the swash plates 258. The swash plates 258 can be set to a neutral setting (corresponding to the control arm 194, 196 being in the neutral position) in which there is substantially no hydraulic fluid flow despite the input shaft 254 rotating. The swash plates 258 can be tilted in forward and reverse directions (corresponding to the control arm 194, 196 being moved from neutral in the forward and reverse direction, respectively) in an infinitely adjustable manner to dictate the volumetric flow rate of hydraulic fluid in the selected direction. The motor output shafts 256 rotate in a forward or reverse direction, depending on the direction of flow of the hydraulic fluid from the associated pump 246. The speed of rotation of the motor output shafts 256 is dictated by the volumetric flow rate of the hydraulic fluid. The output shafts 256 are connected to the associated drive wheels 106, 108 to cause rotation of the drive wheels in a forward or reverse direction at a desired speed.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, the drive transmission assembly 220 is mounted directly under the engine deck 210 and includes a drive sheave 262, a right transaxle sheave 264, a left transaxle sheave 266, an idler 268, a drive tension assembly 270, and a drive belt 272. The drive sheave 262 is mounted to the PTO shaft 238 of the engine 214 for rotation with the PTO shaft 238 under the engine deck 210. The right and left transaxle sheaves 264 and 266 are mounted to the respective right and left transaxle input shafts 254 for rotation with those shafts. The stationary idler 268 is supported for rotation on a shaft that is mounted to the bottom surface of the engine deck 210.

The drive tension assembly 270 includes a tension arm 274, a tensioner 276, and a spring 278. The tension arm 274 includes first and second opposite ends. The tension arm 274 is mounted to the engine deck 210 at a pivot point 279 between the first and second opposite ends of the tension arm 274. One end of the spring 278 is connected to the first end of the tension arm 274, and the opposite end of the spring 278 is interconnected to the engine deck 210. The spring 278 is a linear-acting spring, and consequently applies a linear biasing force on the tension arm 274 which biases the tension arm 274 to pivot about the pivot point 279 in a counter-clockwise direction when viewed from below as illustrated by FIG. 11. In this regard, the spring 278 can be said to apply a torque biasing force on the tension arm 274 about the pivot point 279. The tensioner 276 is mounted to the second end of the tension arm 274 and is free to rotate with respect to the tension arm 274.

The drive belt 272 interconnects the drive sheave 262, right transaxle sheave 264, left transaxle sheave 266, idler 268, and tensioner 276. The drive belt 272 transmits torque from the PTO shaft 238 and drive sheave 262 to the right and left transaxle input shafts 254 to drive operation of the pumps 246 in the transaxles 216 and 218. The idler 268 and the tensioner 276 ensure that the drive belt 272 contacts each of the sheaves 262, 264, and 266 along an appropriate wrap angle a and that the drive belt 272 is sufficiently tight against the sheaves 262, 264, and 266 to reduce or eliminate slipping of the drive belt 272 with respect to the sheaves 262, 264, and 266.

The wrap angle α of the drive belt on the sheaves 262, 264, and 266 is at least 90°. The ratio between the diameter of the drive sheave 262 to the diameter of the right transaxle sheave 264 is preferably 1:1 or close to 1:1. The ratio between the diameter of the drive sheave 262 to the diameter of the left transaxle 266 sheave is preferably 1:1 or close to 1:1. The drive sheave 262, the right transaxle sheave 264, the left transaxle sheave 264, the idler 268, and the tensioner 276 fit within a rectangular footprint that is less than 4.5 drive sheave diameters by 3.25 drive sheave diameters. The operator platform 130 is at least partially behind the right transaxle 216 and the left transaxle 218.

The entire drive transmission assembly 220 is directly under the engine deck 210. The entire drive transmission assembly 220 is below a horizontal plane that is below the PTO bearing 240. Examples of such horizontal planes are the planes defined by the top and bottom surfaces of the engine deck 210. The sheaves 262, 264, and 266, idler 268, and tensioner 276 are substantially vertically aligned (i.e., at the same height) so the drive belt 272 is substantially horizontal and is not angled to any significant degree up or down between any of the sheaves 262, 264, and 266, idler 268, and tensioner 276. The input shafts 254 of the right and left transaxles 216 and 218 are vertical and define axes of rotation that are parallel to the PTO axis 242 of the PTO shaft 238, as are all of the axes of rotation and pivot axes of the sheaves 262, 264, and 266, idler 268, tensioner 276, tension arm 274, and spring 278. The output shafts 256 of the right and left transaxles 216 and 218 are horizontal and therefore define axes of rotation that are perpendicular to the PTO axis 242 and the axes of rotation and pivot axes of the other elements of the drive transmission assembly 220.

In some embodiments, the prime mover may include a horizontal PTO shaft. In such a configuration, the standing lawn mower may include a gear box taking as an input torque from the horizontal PTO shaft and delivering as an output a vertical rotating shaft that would engage the drive transmission assembly 220 as noted above.

In operation, the engine 214 drives rotation of the PTO shaft 238 about the PTO axis 242. The drive sheave 262 is fixed for rotation with the PTO shaft 238. Rotation of the drive sheave 262 causes linear movement of the drive belt 272, which causes the right and left transaxle sheaves 266 and 268 to rotate. Tension is maintained in the drive belt 272 with the drive tension assembly 270 and proper wrap angles a are maintained by the positioning of the tensioner 276 and idler 268. Rotation of the right and left transaxle sheaves 266 and 268 causes rotation of the input shafts 254 of the right and left transaxles 216 and 218. This drives operation of the hydraulic pump 246 in each of the transaxles 216 and 218. As the swash plate 258 in the right and left transaxles 216, 218 are manipulated (by manipulation of the right and left control arms 194, 196), hydraulic fluid flows through the motors 248 in the right and left transaxles 218 to drive rotation of the output shaft 256 in a desired direction and at a desired speed, which results in rotation of the right and left drive wheels 106, 108 in the desired direction and at the desired speed.

The right and left drive wheels 106, 108 rotate about the horizontal axis 126, which is collinear with the axes of rotation of the transaxle output shafts 256. In the event the right and left drive wheels 106, 108 are driven in opposite directions of rotation at the same speeds, the lawn mower 100 will rotate about the ZT axis 128.

The cutting deck assembly 118 is supported by the frame 110 for movement between a cutting position in which the cutting deck assembly 118 is lowered with respect to the frame 110 and a travel position in which the cutting deck assembly is raised with respect to the frame 110. The cutting deck assembly 118 includes a cutting deck and at least one cutting blade mounted under the cutting deck and rotating under the influence of the engine 214 to cut vegetation when the cutting deck assembly 118 is in the cutting position.

The cutting deck lift assembly 122 includes actuators for raising and lowering the cutting deck assembly 118, and the height-of-cut assembly 124 includes an adjustable mechanism for holding the deck assembly 118 at a desired height during cutting.

Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A standing lawn mower comprising: a frame; a right drive wheel supporting the frame; a left drive wheel supporting the frame; a prime mover supported by the frame; a cutting deck assembly supported by the frame for movement between a cutting position in which the cutting deck assembly is lowered with respect to the frame and a travel position in which the cutting deck assembly is raised with respect to the frame, the cutting deck assembly including a cutting deck and at least one cutting blade mounted under the cutting deck and rotating under the influence of the prime mover to cut vegetation when the cutting deck assembly is in the cutting position; a right side integrated transaxle operating under the influence of the prime mover to drive rotation of the right drive wheel independent of the rotation of the left drive wheel, the right side integrated transaxle including a right side housing, a right hydraulic pump within the housing, and a right hydraulic motor within the housing; a left side integrated transaxle operating under the influence of the prime mover to drive rotation of the left drive wheel independent of the rotation of the right drive wheel, the left side integrated transaxle including a left side housing, a left hydraulic pump within the housing, and a left hydraulic motor within the housing; and an operator platform for supporting a standing operator of the lawn mower, the operator platform being positioned at least partially behind the right and left integrated transaxles.
 2. The standing lawn mower of claim 1, wherein the right transaxle includes a right hydraulic system using right hydraulic fluid; and wherein the left transaxle includes a left hydraulic system independent of the right hydraulic system and using left hydraulic fluid that is separate and unmixed with the right hydraulic fluid.
 3. The standing lawn mower of claim 1, wherein the operator platform is at least partially between the right and left drive wheels.
 4. The standing lawn mower of claim 1, wherein the prime mover includes a horizontal PTO shaft; the standing lawn mower further comprising a gear box taking as an input torque from the horizontal PTO shaft and delivering as an output a vertical rotating shaft.
 5. The standing lawn mower of claim 1, wherein the prime mover includes a vertical, downwardly extending PTO shaft that defines a vertical PTO axis, the PTO shaft rotating about the PTO axis during operation of the prime mover.
 6. The standing lawn mower of claim 5, wherein the prime mover includes a PTO bearing supporting the PTO shaft in cantilevered fashion for rotation about the PTO axis; and wherein all portions of both the right side transaxle and the left side transaxle are below a horizontal plane that is below the PTO bearing.
 7. The standing lawn mower of claim 5, further comprising a power transmission assembly including: a PTO sheave mounted to the PTO shaft for rotation with the PTO shaft about the PTO axis; a right transaxle sheave interconnected with the right hydraulic pump and rotatable to drive operation of the right hydraulic pump; a left transaxle sheave interconnected with the left hydraulic pump and rotatable to drive operation of the left hydraulic pump; an idler; a tensioner; and a belt interconnecting the PTO sheave to the right transaxle sheave, left transaxle sheave, idler, and tensioner to transmit rotation of the PTO sheave under the influence of the PTO shaft into rotation of the right transaxle sheave, left transaxle sheave, idler, and tensioner; wherein each of the right transaxle sheave, left transaxle sheave, idler, and tensioner rotate about an axis of rotation that is parallel to the PTO axis.
 8. The standing lawn mower of claim 1, wherein the operator platform is positioned at least partially behind the right and left drive wheels.
 9. The standing lawn mower of claim 1, further comprising a hydraulic fluid expansion tank; and wherein the right side integrated transaxle, the left side integrated transaxle, and the hydraulic fluid expansion tank are in fluid communication with each other. 